Katchina

by Backroads Music/HeartbeatsG.E.N.E., another group/concept on the IC label, was conceived in Canada by Cléo de Mallio, drawing on the sounds of nature and stillness of the vast Northern spaces. On Katchina they move to the Southwest terrain to explore their own brand of fanciful music with touches of Native American culture. The opening and title cut bounces from Native chanting, with vocals by Christina Lux, to in-the-groove passages with crisp guitar. Then the atmospheric "Good Morning Arizona," with haunting soundscapes soaring across mind plateaus, leads into spacious guitar and synth, interrupted by echoing flute sounds that seem to move across the horizon. Experimental in parts, jazzy in others, KatChina moves smoothly from acoustic to electric portions. They use the Native tradition as a starting point for their melodies, with creative tension as counterpoint. Each track reveals a beginning, middle and end with themes mostly derived from Native American cultures. In addition, the doubleneck guitar solo by Felix Parbs on "Golden Feather" offers another dimension to the well of creativity this music draws from.